Hardy & Greys home under threat for second time

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The Hardy & Greys headquarters in Alnwick, England, is under threat for a second time from housing development.

The home of Hardy & Greys, one of the most famous tackle brands in the world, has come under threat for a second time.

A bid to build 100 homes on the site occupied by the UK-based company has been refused. But an earlier proposal to develop the land for residential purposes will go to appeal at a public inquiry next month.

The most recent application was rejected at a meeting on Tuesday of the Northumberland County Council’s Strategic Planning Committee. The first proposal was turned down last year.

Both bids are believed to be contrary to a neighbourhood plan that favours designation of the Willowburn Trading Estate, in Alnwick, England, as employment land.

According to Grant Ottignon-Harris, Pure Fishing’s Managing Director UK, Continental Europe and South Africa, the company signed a five-year lease in 2016, with the option of extending it for a further five years.

Pure Fishing has made significant investment in the premises in the last few years, including refurbishment of the retail store and a new showroom. Alnwick has been home to Hardy since the company’s foundation in 1872.

Hardy & Greys has been owned by Pure Fishing since 2013. Pure Fishing’s owner, US-based Newell Brands, recently announced that its multi-brand global fishing business was available for sale.

This week it revealed it has agreed to the sale of another of its brands, Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, to Seidler Equity Partners, a private investment firm, for around $395 million.

The sale is part of Newell Brands’ previously announced Accelerated Transformation Plan, which includes the sale of brands and companies deemed surplus to requirements.

“This transaction is a pivotal step in our company’s transformation to become a more focused, forward-facing consumer goods company with tremendous opportunities,” said Michael Polk, President and CEO of Newell Brands.